2023 Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of Parish Council meeting 19th April 2023 at 7.15pm

held at Mareham le Fen Community Centre

Present: Cllrs M. Percival (Chair), P.Bourn, L. Thomas

Not Present: Cllr P. Chilvers

Clerk:    A. Everard

Members of Public present: 20

Public Forum for 30 minutes

The Chair welcomed attendees and read out a statement about the standing orders governing debate. In summary various views were expressed about the planning application regarding the Memorial Lawn – some in favour and others opposed.  Some argued it was not for the Community Centre charity trustees to sell, while others argued that last year’s consultation and majority public vote had settled the matter in accordance with their current Scheme of Management. Others feared the loss of the public open space for recreation and on-road parking spaces in view of rapid residential building growth while others argued that the Community Centre and land around it provided the new recreational space in the village. It was noted that East Lindsey District Council had decided on 7th April that the piece of land was not given the status of Asset of Community Value nominated by a community group seeking to preserve the Memorial Lawn. A request had now been submitted by that group to English Heritage to see if it could be listed as a heritage asset. Other issues raised included that the moving the statutory 30mph speed limit signs or putting up passive speed signs had no discernible effect on speeding vehicles through the village and that more volunteers were needed to make the team large enough to set up Community Speed Watch teams to monitor traffic speed effectively. Also raised were the damaged footpath sign on Watery Lane and feedback awaited on the fencing put up by Gleesons around the village’s name sign in front of their housing development.

At 7.45pm the Chair ended Public Forum and 11 residents remained to observe the parish council meeting. 

The Chair read out a welcome statement and announced that the election of parish councillors had been uncontested for May 4th but there were 5 seats available to fill by co-option if anyone was interested.  She thanked Cllr Chilvers for his dedication and support as a councillor as he had decided not to stand in this election for a new term.

75/23. Apologies for absence with reason given 

Cllr Chilvers had sent his apology due to work commitments.

76/23. Declaration of Members’ interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and requests for dispensations. 

Declarations of interest were given by Cllr Percival and Cllr Thomas in the agenda item to consider the S/114/00477/23 planning application for the Memorial Lawn.  Individually both submitted written requests for dispensations to the Proper Officer.  Council was advised by the Clerk that due to the declarations of interest that the Council would be inquorate to consider that item of business but they had power to grant a dispensation under S.33 Localism Act 2011 where the council would be inquorate and unable to debate or vote on the matter or where the council felt it was is in the interests of persons living in the area to grant a dispensation.  Councillors were advised that they could take part in a debate or the vote on their own dispensation. The motion to grant Cllr Percival a dispensation was proposed by Cllr Bourn, seconded by Cllr Thomas and unanimously approved RESOLVED to grant Cllr Percival to debate and vote on the planning application reference S/114/00477/23.  The motion to grant Cllr Thomas a dispensation was proposed by Cllr Bourn, seconded by Cllr Thomas and unanimously approved RESOLVED to grant Cllr Thomas a dispensation to debate and vote on the planning application reference S/114/00477/23.

77/23. To receive the draft minutes to be approved as the minutes of the meeting held on 30th March 2023. 

Councillors requested an amendment to draft minute 68/23 planning application reference S/114/00477/23 to delete words from ‘otherwise ..[to].. proposals’ the draft minutes were then acceptable.  Cllr Bourn proposed, Cllr Thomas seconded and unanimously approved RESOLVED to approve the amended minutes.  The Chair will sign the amended minutes.

78/23. Any matters arising from the minutes of 30th March 2023 and Clerk’s updates not already on this agenda.

The Clerk advised that the laptop purchase approved in minute 58/23 had been completed within budget.

79/23. To receive and note correspondence

Correspondence had been received from LALC ENews (two-weekly), LCC and ELDC Newsletters, correspondence to and from Memorial Lawn Preservation Society, LCC Horncastle Road waiting times consultation, LCC grass-cutting agreement amendment to include Masons Lane, ELDC Returning Officer validly nominated candidates for election.

80/23. ELDC and LCC councillors invited to make verbal or written reports on local matters.

The Chair read out the written report from Cllr Gray (LCC Councillor) regarding May 6th Coronation events at Lincoln Castle and the launch of nominations for Good Citizens Awards.  Cllr Gray is also looking into the highways issues raised at last month’s meeting and again today by members of the public.

Apologies received from Cllr Foster (ELDC) due to other meetings. 

81/23. To consider and comment with material considerations on any local planning matters as a statutory consultee and to note decisions made by East Lindsey District Council

• S/114/01809/22 - LAND EAST OF SHERATON, MAIN STREET, MAREHAM LE FEN - Planning Permission - Erection of 30no. dwellings and construction of a vehicular access – awaiting Planning Committee meeting - date unknown.
• S/213/02177/22 - LAND AT HILL FARM, MAIN ROAD, WOOD ENDERBY - Planning Permission - Change of use, conversion of and alterations to the 4no. existing agricultural buildings to provide facilities for the importation of virgin timber, wood pallets and wood chip for biomass for the production of dried wood and wood chip for briquette production (off site) and the installation of 6no. 10m high. – ELDC approved the application with conditions.
• S/114/00203/23 - MAREHAM LE FEN COMMUNITY CENTRE, HORNCASTLE ROAD, MAREHAM LE FEN, BOSTON, PE22 7QL - Planning Permission - Installation of outdoor play equipment to the maximum height of 4.7 metres. ELDC decision – approved with conditions.
• S/114/00477/23 - MEMORIAL LAWN, MAIN STREET, MAREHAM LE FEN, PE22 7RL - Outline erection of 2no. dwellings. Councillors debated this application for some time because of the strength of feeling in the community. It was proposed by Cllr Thomas, seconded by Cllr Percival and by majority vote approved RESOLVED to ‘Support’ the planning application.  Cllr Bourn requested a recorded vote in accordance with Standing Order 3s: Cllr Thomas and Cllr Percival voted for the motion and Cllr Bourn against.  It was proposed by Cllr Bourn, seconded by Cllr Thomas and approved unanimously RESOLVED for the Clerk to submit the following comments to East Lindsey District Council

• Mareham le Fen Parish Council regrets the loss of green land, open space, sports and recreational space in the village.
• Having weighed the arguments the council reluctantly decided that the benefits could outweigh the loss of the land.
• The size of the plot subject to this planning application will only support ground-level single story bungalows in the opinion of the council.
• There is a defibrillator located at the back of this plot provided by the Bowls Club and the costs of moving it and relocating it needs to be found so that the community value of that potentially life-saving equipment is retained.
• The relocation of the bus stop outside this plot of land needs sympathetic thought so that it continues to meet community needs.  
• Vehicles often speed through A155 Main Street and concerns have been raised about the lack of turning space for residents of the proposed dwellings on this site which may increase hazards on this stretch of road.
• There will also be the potential loss of three parking spaces in front this plot of land which may affect on-street parking for use by the Bowls Club or residential neighbours adding to on-street parking issues.
• The busy junctions of Fen Lane and Watery Lane with Main Street are nearby and increased numbers of dwellings being built to the West of the village will increase traffic and hazards along this Main Street particularly near to and outside the land these dwellings will be built on. This should be assessed before the application is decided.

• S/114/00525/23 - LAND ADJACENT MANOR HOUSE AND MANOR FARM, FIELDSIDE, MAREHAM LE FEN - Planning Permission - Change of use of existing buildings from agriculture to automotive parts storage (building A) (Use Class B8) and agricultural contractors workshop (building B) (Use Class B2) (uses already commenced) – ELDC decision awaited.
• S/114/00750/23 - ROSEMOUNT, RECTORY LANE, MAREHAM LE FEN, BOSTON, PE22 7QT - Planning Permission - Extensions to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation – NEW – Cllr Bourn proposed, Cllr Thomas seconded and it was unanimously approved RESOLVED to support this application and comment that the suggestion by another to support swifts was welcome.

82/23.  To consider and approve financial matters

a) To approve expenditure on the payments schedule

Proposed Cllr Bourn, seconded Cllr Thomas and unanimously approved RESOLVED to make the payments in the above payments schedule.

83/23. Highways 

a) To receive updates, consider and approve spending, training preparation and volunteer co-ordination for Community Speed Watch.

It was discussed that some events were to be held in the pub possibly 13th or 27th May at 10.30am and a weekday evening 7pm on a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday to see if some more volunteers could come forward – availability would be checked. It was proposed by the Chair and seconded by Cllr Thomas to purchase 10 more passive signs at £10 each and unanimously approved RESOLVED to spend £100 to purchase passive signs.

b) To consider updates to LCC Highways road closure, faults and issues list and other highway matters.

Cllr Bourn was concerned about the state of some rights of way in the parish.  The Clerk advised that they are visible online on the electronic definitive map published by Lincolnshire County Council.

c) To consider the LCC Horncastle Road, Proposed Waiting Restrictions consultation proposals.

Further checking would need to be done to consider if the proposed restrictions went far enough along Horncastle Road towards Fieldside.  Funerals and other Church events could block Horncastle Road.

84/23. To note steps taken and to approve arrangements for a defibrillator in Tumby Woodside.

Cllr Bourn will approach local electrician to see if they would be interested in providing a quotation to do the electrical work. Cllr Bourn has not been able to obtain a written quotation for the defibrillator stand.  The Clerk will seek more information from providers.

85/23. To consider appointments to external bodies, groups and to receive reports.

The parish council is a nominating body for trustees on the Mareham le Fen Village Hall Charity – it was proposed by Cllr Percival, seconded by Cllr Bourn and unanimously approved RESOLVED to nominate Cllr Thomas to join the trustees of the charity.

No other reports were received.

86/23.  Training Bookings to be approved

None

87/23. Date of the next meeting 17th May 2023 and items to be added to the agenda. 

Agricultural rents and the lease of that land.

The meeting ended at 9.13pm.